Spring Forward

Did you remember to set your clocks ahead one hour?

That's right.

We just lost an hour! Not to worry, we will find it again on November 4th when we "fall back."

The trade-off is an hour more of sunlight in the evening. Yay!

I think it is a silly thing to do, actually. But every state follows Daylight Saving Time, except Hawaii and Arizona.

An old Lakotah Indian once remarked:

"Only a white man would believe that you could cut a foot off the top of a blanket and sew it to the bottom of a blanket and have a longer blanket."

Just remember to set all your clocks ahead to avoid confusion and prevent tardiness.

They say the day after we spring forward, there are more traffic accidents as people suddenly realize they're late.

Makes sense.

For me, it's a matter of adjusting to the loss of that hour.

Kind of like a mini jet lag.

Does that happen to you too?

The Candles Are Lit

Guess who's coming to dinner? You!

Come on in!

The candles are lit on the table and all around the house.

So take off your wrap and make yourself comfortable!

We have a glass of Chateauneuf du Pape waiting for you.

There is nothing more romantic than a candlelight dinner, don't you agree?

Especially when the location is unexpected.

The jasmine is even more pungeont now that it's dark.

And the air outside is still warm and smells sweet from all the blossoms.

A reminder that spring is just around the corner.

Bon Appetit!

(Scroll on down if you missed this tablescape in the daylight!)

Joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch again for Tablescape Thursday.

Tablescape Pour Le Printemps

Spring is in the air and I'm stuck at home with the tile contractor and the cabinet maker.

What to do?

Create a tablescape for spring!

The inspiration for my tablescape comes from these French plates.

BFF, Maureen and I found them at an antique store in the wine country on our birthday weekend.

There were 16 plates with three different scenes. We bought them and split them up.

She got 8 and I got 8!

We planned to create a tablescape together, but it just didn't happen!

So, here is my spring table, using everything French that I could find in the house!

Starting with a confit pot and the very last white hydrangea left over from Ashley's wedding!

For something different, I set the table in the entry hall using the drop leaf table from the living room. A French tablecloth found in France tops it.

Matching napkins and napkin rings are from One King's Lane.

Faux rosemary topiary place card holders are from Pottery Barn.

The majolica charger anchors all the plates.

Yellow basket weave dinner plates go perfectly with the French plates

Vintage jewel-like amethyst glasses and various silver and bone handled flatware are from my collection.

I love pulling these treasures out of drawers and cupboards and mixing them up.

The room is perfumed with the sweet scent of jasmine, a gift from my friend Jane when Dexter passed away.

I'll plant it outside soon in his memory.

As you can see, I have a new assistant taking Dexter's place.

My grand-dog, Bear seems to like being a part of the photoshoot just like Dexter did!

Butter Kitty is also offering her assistance.

The two of them are quite the pair with their matching brindle coats.

I'll be back later tonight to light the candles!

Un Table Pour Le Printemps!

This tablescape will join all the others over at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday.

Moving Right Along

Moving right along with the kitchen remodel after several weeks of no activity, Bob the Cabinet Maker came yesterday with new doors and drawers.

This is the original wall where the Viking double ovens were.

Don't you just love our technique for keeping the door closed?

They were replaced 3 times, and each time the doors torqued.

When the ovens stopped heating, the decision was made to rip them out and get a range.

Here is the hole in the wall where they were, plus a drawer below.

I was second guessing my decision at this point. The right side of the opening was raw and uneven. How would it ever look the way I envisioned?

He removed the drawer and rebuilt the right side, complete with the beaded edge that all the cabinets have.

Today, he will build the shelves and install the double cabinet doors.

Then I can put away all my pots and pans that have been sitting out for weeks.

We also got a new drawer and bin where the trash compactor was.

Once it is painted, you will never know there was a "patch job."

This is the sample of the cabinet color.

I can hardly wait!

I want to thank you all for your kind words and notes of sympathy about Dexter.

It has been a really sad time for our family and your thoughts, prayers and poems have been very comforting.

Thank You.

Rest In Peace, Little Guy

This morning at 8:00 am, Dexter was put to rest.

After years of debilitating seizures, his brain and body had just had enough.

Rest in peace, little guy.

We love you.

"He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; my other ears that hear above the winds. He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea...

He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being;

by the way he rests against my leg;

by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him. (I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me.) When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive...

When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he is joy unbounded.

When I am a fool, he ignores it. When I succeed, he brags. Without him, I am only another man...

With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself. He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant. His head on my knee can heal my human hurts...

His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things.

He has promised to wait for me... whenever... wherever - in case I need him. And I expect I will - as I always have. He is my dog." - Gene Hill

Dexter "Tar" Arabian

January 8, 1999

March 2, 2012

In Like A Lion, Out Like A Lamb

Apparently, March is coming in like a lion this year.

That's ok with me. I love a rainy day now and then.

I just hope March ends up going out like a lamb, as the saying goes...

I foresee many trips to the nursery this month. Kind of a March madness that I go through every year. I tend to rush Spring!

Yesterday, I started with the front porch. Pansies filled the empty urns.

Now I need to replant the black urns with Geraniums and Morning Glory.

Ahhh, the promise of Spring....